Bolt’s London finale ended in disappointment as he suffered a muscle cramp before the end of the 4x100m relay final which was won by Great Britain. Teammate Yohan Blake believes organisers were partially to be blamed.
Bolt staggered to a halt halfway down the straight, dropping the baton before performing a forward somersault on the track as he chased gold for Jamaica. Bolt told fans “thank you” as he was receiving treatment after the race in his hotel room.
“It was 40 minutes and two medal presentations before our run,” Yohan said, per BBC Sport. “We keep warming up and waiting, then warming up and waiting. I think it got the better of us. It hurts to see a true legend, a true champion go out there and struggle like that.”
Bolt’s teammate Omar McLeod was not disappointed by what happened and says the track legend will live forever. After the race, Usain Bolt thanked his fans on Twitter.
Thank you for everything you have done for the sport, us athletes and especially our country!
We salute you Legend! @usainbolt pic.twitter.com/kf6Q3xLkoy— Omar MrSilk McLeod (@Warrior_omz) August 12, 2017
USA sprint icon Michael Johnson suggested that Bolt should have considered hanging up his spikes up after dominating the sprint events at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro:
Bolt probably one year too many. Sad to see him go down in his final race. Personally I think he has been amazing for the sport. #Respect
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) August 12, 2017
But Bolt’s fans pointed out:
People won’t remember bolt as going down but like this #IAmBolt #ForeverFaster ⚡ pic.twitter.com/e4hcnNvNiO
— Lyndsey (@ls_lyndsey) August 12, 2017
Retired cricketer Aakash Chopra
You’re remembered for how you lived and not for how you died…Usain Bolt’s legacy stays untouched. Legend. #Respect
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 13, 2017
And there were well-wishers all over the world
LEGEND. ?? USAIN BOLT ?? pic.twitter.com/ci9t02ysQU
— Marc Bartra (@MarcBartra) August 12, 2017
⚡️11 World Championship Titles
⚡️9* Olympic Gold Medals
⚡️Holder of 3 Major World Records
Fastest. Human. Ever.
Thank you, Usain #Bolt! pic.twitter.com/E8bVIU0uNd
— Coach Zach Emerson (@CoachZem) August 12, 2017
